House-to-house vaccination vs. measles, pertussis targets 1M in BARMM

House-to-house vaccinations are being conducted in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to curb the increasing cases of pertussis and measles, according to a “24 Oras” report by Ian Cruz.

The Department of Health, working with the World Health Organization, will deploy some 4,000 personnel to vaccinate over a million children in the region.

“As of yesterday we were able to vaccinate less than 232,890 which represent 17% of the target population,” said Dr. Rui Paolo De Jesus, WHO representative in the Philippines.

The WHO official called for heightened action to ensure the children are protected from the diseases.

“We do expect the measles outbreak to spread to our member states in the region and I think this is very important, we see cases now in Vietnam, Malaysia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic,” said WHO Western Pacific Regional Director, Dr. Saia Ma’u Piikala. 

“Noong napansin natin na lumalaki talagang kinalampag natin yung ating surveillance. Hinaype natin yung ating health facilities,” said Dr. Mohammad Arrif Baguindali, head of the Integrated Provincial Health Office. 

The Heath department urges every child across the country to visit the health center at least five times,  before their first birthday.

This is to complete their free vaccination against measles, rubella, polio, pertussis, dipterya, hepatitis b, tuberculosis at meningitis.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News